Multifunction buried utility locating clips

Abstract

Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A clip for use in utility locating to couple current via a contact connection to a conductor, comprising:
 a base assembly; 
 a double-acting jaw assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are coupled to the base assembly, and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are independently movably openable and closeable relative to each other and to the base assembly; and 
 a contact element on the jaw assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. A clip for use in utility locating to couple current via a contact connection to a conductor, comprising:
 a base assembly with a handle element including a utility selector element for selecting a utility type; 
 a double acting jaw assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein each of the first jaw and second jaw includes a plurality of different sized regions or sections shaped to fit in close contact about a plurality of target utilities of different utility types and/or diameters, wherein each of the plurality of regions and sections on the first jaw and second jaw are relatively symmetrical to each other; and 
 a contact element on the jaw assembly. 
 
     
     
       3. The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the double-acting jaw assembly includes a plurality of regions or sections shaped to fit in close contact about a plurality of target utilities of different utility types and/or diameters. 
     
     
       4. The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the contact element includes a plurality of serrated conductive teeth for gripping a target utility. 
     
     
       5. The clip of  claim 4 , wherein the serrated conductive teeth are located along the inner portion of the jaw assembly within different contoured regions shaped to fit in close contact about different ones a plurality of target utilities of different shapes or diameters. 
     
     
       6. The clip of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one magnetic element providing a magnetic attractive force to secure or aid in securing the contact element to the target utility. 
     
     
       7. The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the serrated conductive teeth are located along the outer portion of the jaw assembly allowing the magnetic element to secure the contact element to a target utility by magnetic attractive force. 
     
     
       8. The clip of  claim 6 , including one or more accessory ports for attaching accessory devices to the clip via the magnetic element. 
     
     
       9. The clip of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic element is also electrically conductive to communicate one or more signals to one or more accessory devices. 
     
     
       10. The clip of  claim 9 , wherein one attachment accessory device comprises an insulation punch for puncturing the insulation of wiring so as to provide a direct physical contact with the conductor of the wire. 
     
     
       11. The clip of  claim 2 , wherein the contact element includes a plurality of serrated conductive teeth for gripping a target utility. 
     
     
       12. The clip of  claim 11 , wherein the serrated conductive teeth are located along the inner portion of the jaw assembly within different contoured regions shaped to fit in close contact about different ones a plurality of target utilities of different shapes or diameters. 
     
     
       13. The clip of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one magnetic element providing a magnetic attractive force to secure or aid in securing the contact element to the target utility. 
     
     
       14. The clip of  claim 13 , wherein the serrated conductive teeth are located along the outer portion of the jaw assembly allowing the magnetic element to secure the contact element to a target utility by magnetic attractive force. 
     
     
       15. The clip of  claim 13 , including one or more accessory ports for attaching accessory devices to the clip via the magnetic element. 
     
     
       16. The clip of  claim 1 , further including a single wire cable for operatively coupling the clip to a utility locating transmitter. 
     
     
       17. The clip of  claim 1 , further including a multi-wire cable for operatively coupling the clip to a utility locating transmitter. 
     
     
       18. The clip of  claim 5 , further including one or more foldable covers for covering the serrated teeth along the outer surface of each jaw when not in use. 
     
     
       19. The clip of  claim 1 , further including an indicator for communicating information to a user.